The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)'s National Church Council (NCC) is meeting in Winnipeg from September 27-29. The following is an overview of highlights from the first day of meetings:

The September meeting of NCC commenced with Opening Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. at Laureate's Landing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson delivered the sermon at Opening Worship. A copy of the sermon will be available on the Bishop's page on the ELCIC website: http://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.cfm

The business session of NCC commenced at 8:00 p.m. This is the first full National Church Council meeting for National Bishop Susan C. Johnson since she was elected at the ELCIC National Convention in June. Let me just say how much I am looking forward to working with you and to our partnership noted Bishop Johnson in her opening remarks to council, This is an exciting time for me.

NCC members were joined by Kathy Magnus, North American Officer of The Lutheran World Federation, Carlos Pena, Vice-President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and The Rt. Rev. Colin Johnson, Bishop of Toronto of the Anglican Church of Canada. Synod Bishops are also in attendance at NCC meetings as advisory members. Bishop Cindy Halmarson of the Saskatchewan Synod is absent for this set of meetings as she is on a short medical leave.

Round-table introductory remarks were shared and the agenda for the meeting was approved. In addition, the NCC Minutes from the June 20 and 24, 2007 were approved by council.

The business session was adjourned for the day. Friday's agenda will include reports from Group Services Inc, the Office of the Bishop, the Officers and the Director of Finance and Administration.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

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